Career & application guide

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers do?

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Athletic Fieldskeeper
  • Greenskeeper
  • Grounds Maintenance Worker
  • Grounds Specialist
  • Groundskeeper
  • Groundsman
  • Landscape Specialist
  • Landscape Technician (Landscape Tech)

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
  • Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
  • Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
  • Gather and remove litter.
  • Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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